Aberthaw Lime Works

Aberthaw Lime Works is a derelict structure, located on the South Wales coast, between Fontygary Bay and Aberthaw Power Station. The structure is a Grade II Listed Building.^[1] The structure is considered a listed building because it is a well preserved structure from an important regional industry.^[2]

The Aberthaw Lime Works was opened on 22 December 1888, by the Aberthaw Pebble Limestone Company.^[3] It was built to utilise the huge number of Limestone Pebbles that had previously been taken inland or been moved by boat. The Lime Works operated until 1926.^[4][5] The Lime works brought a new scale of working to the lime industry which was really just a cottage industry in the area previously.^[6]

The local limestone and brick structure is still largely intact, although it is missing most of its wooden components. It contains 2 vertical pot draw kilns each holding up to 300 tons each, which could produce up to 40 tons of burnt lime a day.^[7] Next to the main structure, there are 2 pot kilns which are also largely intact. These Kilns were built later than the main structure, but also ceased operation in 1926.^[4]

The lime works were originally served by a tramway, which ran from the direction of Rhoose (east of the lime works). It passed either side of the now demolished winch house. A tramway ramp (again demolished) allowed carts containing pebbles between 3 & 4 inches (100 mm) in diameter to be conveyed to the top of the works and then into the kilns.